lacuna

1. A gap or missing part, especially in a manuscript or a body of work.

   synonyms:gapvoid

The word 'lacuna' comes from the Latin word 'lacuna', meaning 'a gap, hole, or pit'. It has been used in English since the late 19th century.

Lacuna is often used in literary, academic, or legal contexts to describe an absence or omission in a text or argument.

While not commonly used in everyday conversation, 'lacuna' appears frequently in academic writing and discussions about literature and law.

The manuscript had several lacunae, making it difficult to understand the author's original intent.

In her analysis, she pointed out the lacuna in the argument, highlighting the missing evidence.

The historical record has a notable lacuna regarding the events of that year.

The term 'lacuna' is a fascinating word that illustrates the idea of absence or void, often in the context of literature or scholarly works. It has its roots in Latin, where it originally described a gap or hole. Over time, it has found its way into English, where it serves as a precise term for describing missing information. Whether discussing gaps in historical records or omissions in legal documents, 'lacuna' adds a touch of sophistication to our vocabulary.